Survey vessel, HMS Echo arrived in Portsmouth on 29 March. For the last few weeks she has been de-storing and has now joined RFA Wave Knight laid up in the non-tidal basin.

She has not been decommissioned but her future is undecided. Here we look at why the RN will, at least temporarily, make do without another ship.

The RN will not officially confirm the status of HMS Echo as they do not routinely comment on readiness levels, although there may be a more formal announcement in the future. Reliable sources say the decision has been made to place Echo in reserve to free up funding and people in order to deliver the next generation of hydrographic survey capabilities. Echo has been moved onto 7 berth in 3 basin which is rarely used, and certainly not for maintenance work.

No formal decision has been taken on the immediate future of HMS Echo and Enterprise (SVHOs) that will reach the end of their intended service life in 2028. They may be retired early but this strategy could also mean their replacements are ready sooner. With some life left in these ships, they could also be viable for sale to other navies. Ocean survey vessel HMS Scott was recently extended in service for another year at least, although she is older than the SVHOs.

HMS Echo passes HMS Queen Elizabeth as she was cold-moved off the UHAF after her small stores of ammunition and pyrotechnics were offloaded, 28 April 2022.  (Photo: S. Wenham)

https://www.navylookout.com/hms-echo-reduced-to-low-readiness-as-royal-navy-considers-options-for-replacement-capability/